My favorite part: The alphabetized laptop keys. Wait! Is it bad that I have a favorite part???

Seriously, I get it. There’s no excuse for ignoring my kids, but in my defense (lame justification to follow) I’ve been working under a tough deadline. All day, every day. My friends think I hate them because I don’t answer the phone or respond to their emails. My house is a mess because my husband performs “guy cleaning” which we all know just isn’t the same as real cleaning. And now, to top it all off, apparently I’ve said “just a minute” or “maybe later” one too many times to my nine-year-old.

So yeah, I owe her big time. When I told her I was planning a Mommy-Daughter day of shopping, lunch, and extra ice cream for dessert, she loved the idea!

Does she really need to know that we do this every year, it’s called back-to-school shopping? Don’t you dare tell her!

I know how your little girl feels. I was the same way when I was little. I would run boring errands or go grocery shopping with my mom just so I could have alone time with her. When my parents divorced, my mom starting working 40 hours a week. I was 14, but my little sister was only 8. I became the one to spend time with my little sister (watch tv, play games, dinner, bath, & bedtime). As soon as I got my license, me and her would go shopping and out to eat at least once a week. My mom was on a budget, but we learned to eat and shop cheap. The dollar store was our favorite. The best way to spend time with her is to take her on your errands (if she likes that), or set aside 1 day a week or even just 1 a month and have a mother daughter day. She will look forward to those days and not be as irritated when you are working all the time. Deadlines are important, but family is more important!!!